Wednesday, January 04, 2012

We have all come across people who go around collecting empty bottles and cans in order to redeem the 5 cent deposit on each. To illustrate how difficult it is to earn a living in such a way, Brooklynite Lina McGinn decided to create a visual. I ran into Lina and a friend a few days ago as the two were wheeling Lina's art project entitled "(A Barely) Living Wage" down Carroll Street.The 212 plastic bottles she had glued together represent $10.60 hour wage, just enough to buy four subway rides or three slices of pizza, (no toppings) To earn $22,000 a year, which the Government considers the poverty line for a family of four, one would have to collect 440,960 bottles. Those are sobering numbers. Lina, thanks for reminding us how difficult it is for many just to scrape by.

It's good to see that kids notice things like this. If anyone ever pass by 7 Ave between 64 & 65 St in Sunset Park/Bay Ridge on a Saturday morning, then you'll realize (& be shocked) how many of those are senior citizens.